Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania has created a docudrama that reconstructs the horrifying true story of five-year-old Hind Rajab as she is bombarded by the Israeli army in Gaza in 2024. Rajab survived the original assault by the IDF, which [ ... ]
Flutist and vocalist Naïssam Jalal and oud master Hazem Shaheen have been friends and collaborators for nearly 20 years, composing and performing an intimate, meditative repertoire that uses just their two instruments and brings together the classical Arabic tradition of [ ... ]
The UAE National Orchestra continues its inaugural season with a concert inspired by the words of Ibn Arabi, the Arab scholar, Sufi mystic, poet, and Muslim philosopher from 12th and 13th century al-Andalus. This is the world premiere of a [ ... ]
The final performance of this interesting collaboration between the Mumbai-based music and street theatre group Yalgaar Sanskrutik Manch and the Nalanda Arts Studio from Bangalore. Kavan is described as an ‘Ambedkarite Opera' – Ambedkarism being the set of anti-caste ideas associated [ ... ]
A UAE National Orchestra concert featuring three classic Russian works that speak of emotion, imagination and human resilience. The programme looks nicely balanced: Shostakovich Overture on Russian and Kirghiz Folk Themes Stravinsky Pulcinella Suite Tchaikovsky Symphony No.5
The second performance (of three) for this interesting collaboration between the Mumbai-based music and street theatre group Yalgaar Sanskrutik Manch and the Nalanda Arts Studio from Bangalore. Kavan is described as an ‘Ambedkarite Opera' – Ambedkarism being the set of anti-caste [ ... ]
This interesting production is the UAE premiere of a groundbreaking collaboration by the Mumbai-based music and street theatre group Yalgaar Sanskrutik Manch, whose work centres on caste, inequality and social justice; and the Nalanda Arts Studio from Bangalore, an organisation [ ... ]
This adventure-ish drama, written as well as directed by Shahad Ameen, follows Saudi grandmother Sitti travelling from Taif to Mecca to perform Hajj with her two granddaughters, 12-year-old Janna and 18-year-old Sarah. But before they reach their destination, Sarah disappears, [ ... ]
This UAE National Orchestra concert looks like a really interesting (and challenging) option – music by the baroque master composer rescored for the instruments, modes and sounds of the Arab world: "a musical dialogue emerges, as harpsichord converses with qanun and [ ... ]
Huang Yi was last seen in Abu Dhabi in The Arts Center’s inaugural season, dancing with an industrial robot. This time he takes the ‘dance meets tech’ idea in new directions; in this collaboration with audiovisual pioneer Ryoichi Kurokawa, the [ ... ]
The acclaimed Japanese choreographer, in town for his performance piece Ink in a couple of days' time, explores how movement becomes conversation. In this workshop, participants learn to sense and respond to the subtle messages within their own bodies and [ ... ]
The Arts Center's mini-Womad for artists who mix modern/Western ideas with traditional/regional styles returns with three good-looking acts (each of whom will play for about an hour, which makes the door price a bit of a bargain). Yasmine Hamdan (above) [ ... ]
The Tasty Biscuits bring three years of soul and living-room setups to the stage, with a soulful, intimate showcase of original music and a guest roster that provides a who's-who of indie music in the UAE – Gaya, Abri, Tac, [ ... ]
Aakash Odedra returns to the Arts Center with his latest work, an hour of beautiful, engrossing virtuoso dance from a single dancer that unashamedly embodies emotions – mostly joy, some reflection, a tinge of sadness and pain – in a [ ... ]
An evening of new music from Boom.Diwan's forthcoming album, which is being recorded this week. The style is their characteristic merging of Kuwaiti maritime and desert traditions with the improvisational energy of jazz. Joining the ensemble are some distinguished collaborators, [ ... ]
The Arts Center's 11th annual celebration of the many meanings of 'home' – your country, your city, your family, the place where you happen to be now ... As always it's a celebration UAE's National Day, Eid al Etihad, with [ ... ]
A really interesting evening of contrasting but complementary music by performers who are all making their UAE debuts. Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper Malian virtuoso Ballaké Sissoko has taken over the mantle of greatest living kora master, with an ability [ ... ]
Kenan Adnawi is a Syrian virtuoso oud player, composer, and improviser known for blending traditional Middle Eastern music with classical, jazz, and contemporary styles. His solo oud performances are a mesmerizing journey through Arabic maqamat, unfolding from introspective modal improvisation [ ... ]
The last in NYUAD Arts Center's fall film season, a series which explores history, identity, and belonging through Arab and international cinema, while offering audiences the chance to engage directly with filmmakers is inspired by the childhood of Saudi writer-director-producer [ ... ]
Founded by filmmaker and curator Nawaf Al Janahi in 2020, Cineolio‘s mission is focused on promoting short films and expanding their audience reach internationally. Its Cinenights screening series presents a diverse selection of short films on the big screen, celebrating [ ... ]
Studying away from home has given Fifi (Manar Shehab) a new sense of autonomy, but waking up in a hospital room after minor car accident in Jerusalem and surrounded by her family she will have to decide how much of her [ ... ]
The second performance of Lara Foot's decolonial version of Shakespeare's original, set in 1880s Namibia (which at the time was German Southwest Africa) and inviting the audiences to see the legacies of the brutal violence of colonisation. It feels like [ ... ]
A much acclaimed version of Shakespeare's original, adapted for Cape Town’s Baxter Theatre Centre by director Lara Foot. Other reworkings of Othello have riffed on the notion of the outsider (and a victim of racism) who will always be looked [ ... ]
The second and final performance of this eclectic ensemble production, a collaboration between Stages Theatre Group, Sri Lanka and Mashirika, Rwanda. Dear Children, Sincerely (DCS) is an ongoing research project, initiated in Sri Lanka in 2015, which gathers stories from [ ... ]
Directed by the noted Sri Lankan playwright, director and activist Ruwanthie de Chickera, this eclectic ensemble production is a collaboration between Stages Theatre Group, Sri Lanka and Mashirika, Rwanda. Dear Children, Sincerely (DCS) is an ongoing research project, initiated in [ ... ]
The second performance of a remarkable show that combines photography, choreography and theatre to tell an emotional rollercoaster of a story. Find Your Eyes draws on Benji Reid’s work both as an award-winning photographer and a pioneer of hip hop [ ... ]
With Find Your Eyes, Benji Reid has made a performance that is unlike any you will have seen. Other artists have approached the creative process itself as performance; but no one else has combined photography, choreography and theatre to make [ ... ]
For his full UAE debut Suleiman takes to the stage with a full band to performing selection from his albums, including his breakthrough Better Than Berlin and his most recent release Maryam. His music blends jazz, rock, classical, and Arabic [ ... ]
Last chance to see the show commissioned by The Arts Center. Metro Diaries invites audiences to step into a world that reflects the rhythm of daily metro rides through evocative performances that blend spoken word, dance, and live soundscapes; the [ ... ]
Commissioned by The Arts Center, Metro Diaries invites audiences to step into a world that reflects the rhythm of daily metro rides through evocative performances that blend spoken word, dance, and live soundscapes; the experience unfolds in vignettes that capture [ ... ]
The final performance of the Abu Dhabi Choral Group’s Summer Revue. This "hilarious and heartwarming" adaptation of the popular film, a successful Broadway and West End musical (music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire) is based on [ ... ]
Matinée and evening shows for the Abu Dhabi Choral Group’s Summer Revue, a "hilarious and heartwarming" adaptation of the popular film. The grumpy but lovable ogre embarking on a quest to rescue the feisty Princess Fiona for the scheming Lord [ ... ]
The second performance for the Abu Dhabi Choral Group’s Summer Revue. This "hilarious and heartwarming" adaptation of the popular film, a successful Broadway and West End musical (music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire) is based on [ ... ]
The always excellent Abu Dhabi Choral Group, the city's best-established and best-regarded community theatre company, offers this "hilarious and heartwarming" adaptation of the popular film, a successful Broadway and West End musical (music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by [ ... ]
As part of International Jazz Month in Abu Dhabi, The Temple makes its public debut – an evening with some of the UAE’s most creative improvisers. It's curated by Ratish Chadha, who also plays in a couple of the slots. [ ... ]
An evening of piano brilliance, showcasing the instrument's dramatic power and profound emotional depth with two of the classic masterpieces of the repertoire, both of which make great demands of the pianist – Beethoven's “Appassionata" and Liszt's Sonata in B [ ... ]
An intimate evening of heartfelt songs, reflecting on the complexities of navigating love, friendship, and family as life shifts during this transformative decade. It's a celebration of vulnerability, change, and the ongoing journey of rediscovering who we are. An NYUAD [ ... ]
A second and final performance for this spectacular piece from Circus Baobab, a company of 13 talented young dancers and acrobats from Guinea and the diaspora. Circus Baobab works collaboratively to develop shows that blend traditional West African performance forms [ ... ]
Vertiginous human pyramids, bodies being thrown seven metres into the air, barely believable hand-on-hand acrobatics, combat, contortions and more – stunning circus skills, and all threaded through with a strong sense of place and a passionate exploration of pollution, power [ ... ]
SFP Montage is a series of special projects and initiatives linked to Sharjah Arts Foundation’s annual Sharjah Film Platform (SFP) festival that forges new associations among the works and expands their reach beyond Sharjah. This evening's films: Upshot dir Maha [ ... ]
SFP Montage is a series of special projects and initiatives linked to Sharjah Arts Foundation’s annual Sharjah Film Platform (SFP) festival that forges new associations among the works and expands their reach beyond Sharjah; two award-winning films from the seventh [ ... ]
The 22nd Abu Dhabi Festival closes with a special tribute to the late musical legend, Quincy Jones, performed by trumpeter Riley Mulherkar and his brass quartet The Westerlies. Described in one review as "über hip, modern yet timeless," Mulherkar’s performance [ ... ]
Violinist Yamen Saadi returns to the Abu Dhabi Festival with a lineup of exceptional young talent, playing alongside the violist Sara Ferrandez and cellists Kian Soltani and Pablo Ferrandez. Saadi, born in Nazareth, joined the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra at 11, [ ... ]
This is a rather special evening for the second edition of NYUAD's The City and the Writer series, featuring an extraordinary lineup of writers, directors, actors, and musicians and centred around Awam Amkpa's 2024 film The Man Died (above). That [ ... ]
Abu Dhabi Festival's ballet gala features some of the world’s most celebrated dancers from some of its top companies – Jinhao Zhang and Madison Young of Bayerisches Staatsballett (both Prix de Lausanne winners), Stuttgart Ballet’s Principals Martí Paixà and Elisa [ ... ]
The virtuoso violinist Augustin Hadelich is known for his technique, insightful interpretations, and ravishing tone. In a contrasting programme of old and new music for the Abu Dhabi Festival, Hadelich plays works by Bach, Coleridge-Taylor, Ysaÿe and David Lang. He [ ... ]
This second Abu Dhabi Festival performance for the KNUA Symphony Orchestra is conducted by the Italian-Lebanese maestro Toufic Maatouk and features star soprano Jessica Pratt and top tenor Javier Camarena, singing arias and duets from Bellini, Donizetti, Rossini, Mascagni, Massenet [ ... ]
The KNUA Symphony Orchestra have their Arab World Premiere with this Abu Dhabi Festival performance under the baton of Chung Chi-Yong, one of the country’s most celebrated conductors. For this evening, KNUA Symphony Orchestra the soloists the award-winning violinist Jaewon [ ... ]
We’re promised “an original and innovative musical programme” from the Labèque sisters, and they never disappoint. Noted for their impeccable synchronicity, electrifying energy, and deftness of interpretation, the sisters “have transformed the piano duo” (New York Times) and “their musical [ ... ]
Kuniko Kato is one of the world’s leading percussionists, noted for astonishing virtuosity and flawless technique, exquisite musical insight and expressive yet elegant performance style; we don't know what her programme will be, but she is equally proficient in traditional [ ... ]
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